Victor Moses has struggled to make an impact at Anfield (Picture: Reuters)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed he still expects Victor Moses to be an important player at Anfield over the second half of the season.

The former Crystal Palace youngster – who is at loan at Anfield for the campaign from Chelsea – has struggled to claim a regular place in the Reds team and frustrated supporters with some poor performances.

Moses was substituted at half-time in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Oldham, and speculation has surrounded the Nigerian international’s future as to whether he would be packing his bags early and returning to London.

But Rodgers says he still has faith in the player and expects him to come good after they had a chat about what it takes to be a Liverpool player.

In actual fact Moses started his Anfield career impressively as he scored a fine goal on his debut against Swansea in September.

Since then he has played 15 more times for Rodgers but has rarely looked at the top of his game despite the manager claiming he has been ‘outstanding’ in training.

‘We have spoken clearly about the demands and expectations at a big club and what’s needed. His talent hasn’t gone away.

‘He’s still very much part of the squad here and he’s very happy here. Of course, every player wants more. But he’s obviously learning, like he did at Chelsea, the demands of being at a big club.’

It is a great show of support by Rodgers as he heaped praise on Moses during his press conference.

I think Rodgers has done the right thing by supporting the player in public, because Rodgers himself can’t be impressed with what he’s seen from Moses so far or he wouldn’t be pulling the player off at half-time.

I think Rodgers realises that the supporters have seen enough of Moses and would rather see him head back to London, but knows his squad is not big enough to let anyone go this window.

Like all Liverpool fans he will be hoping that Moses can find the confidence needed to make him the player most of football knows he can be.

It will be interesting to see how Moses reacts to this vote of confidence from Rodgers – and hopefully he will pay him back with better performances on the pitch.